Discussion Question #1

1. In the very first chapter Candide is literally kicked out of the “most beautiful and delightful of possible castles,” expelled from an “earthly paradise” (p. 5). At the end of the novel, he says “we must cultivate our garden” (p. 94). What is Voltaire suggesting by framing his story in this way and by echoing the Biblical story of the Fall? Has Candide lost and then regained paradise? 

Voltaire suggests by framing the story like this to show the development and maturity of Candide in the story. At the beginning, Candide was very naïve and by the story of the Fall, Adam and Eve were sent here to this utopia, but they went through some stuff. It relates to Candide when he was in his castle, his utopia. But, when he was expelled out of the castle, out of his utopia, he experienced some real troubles. Candide saw people hung, people drowned and even his own love turned ugly. Candide has lost this paradise. He has lost it, but he matured in a sense. He matured by learning that the world is filled with evil and malice, and it seems that Candide has seen that. When the story first started, Candide was a very optimistic and jovial. “All is for the best and the best of all possible worlds” he said, but how he has seen the dark light.